Supreme court rules against fringe legal theory in key voting rights case | First Thing

North Carolina Republicans requested justices issue ruling after dispute over electoral maps. Plus, Brittney Griner's triumphant return to the WNBA

• Don't already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here

Good morning.

The US supreme court shot down a fringe legal theory that observers said posed a considerable threat to democracy, ruling that state courts have the authority to weigh in on disputes over federal election rules.

What does the court's decision mean? It means state courts can continue to weigh in on disputes over federal election rules. State courts have become increasingly popular forums for hearing those disputes, especially after the US supreme court said in 2019 that federal courts could not address partisan gerrymandering.

What has Carroll said about being sued? Her lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment yesterday.